2 Hawaii island men charged with manufacturing counterfeit money

Two Hawaii island men have been charged this week in connection with the manufacturing of counterfeit money in Hilo.

Chase K. Tam, 24, of Hilo, was charged with first-degree forgery and third-degree theft. His bail was set at $5,500. Alexander M. Barnett, 27, of Kea'au, was charged with 36 counts of first-degree forgery and had his bail set at $360,000.

Tam and Barnett were arrested about 10:40 p.m. Nov. 19 after they were identified as using counterfeit currency at a Hilo gas station. Tam was charged Monday. Barnett was released Tuesday, pending an investigation, but arrested the following day after detectives uncovered additional information and evidence, police said. He was charged Thursday and appeared in court today.

Police said the men were involved in the manufacturing and passing of counterfeit U.S. currency.